Are Mental Health Problems and Mindfulness Awareness Related to Levothyroxine Replacement in Adolescent Patients With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Considering the possible adverse effects of thyroid autoantibodies on the brain, the present study aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in mental health difficulties and mindfulness awareness levels between subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients with and without levothyroxine (LT4) use. A case-control study was conducted. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were used to screen mental health difficulties and mindfulness awareness. Scale scores were compared by performing correlation analysis between the groups with respect to LT4 use and thyroid autoantibodies. Levothyroxine alone does not affect scale results. Higher thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) titers were positively correlated with the behavioral problems subscale of the SDQ, while awareness level in patients was inversely correlated with higher thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels.

Examination of relationship factors between psychological resilience and social support in adolescent obesity.

PURPOSE: Childhood obesity is one of the most severe public health problems, and psychiatric conditions have been associated with obesity. In this study, we aimed to investigate psychological resilience and possible related factors in adolescents with obesity. METHOD: The study included 90 adolescents with obesity and 100 healthy adolescents of similar age. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Child and Youth Resilience Measure-28 (CYRM-28), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Scale scores were compared by Pearson's correlation coefficient test with SPSS-23. Multiple linear regression was performed to describe the relationships between variables. RESULTS: The adolescents participating in the study were similar in terms of age and gender. Psychological resilience and social support in the obesity group were lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). A negative relationship was found between body mass index (BMI) and resilience levels of adolescents with obesity, and a positive relationship was found between social support and resilience levels (p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). The perceived family and significant other social support subscale scores of adolescents in the obesity group were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.037 and p = 0.023, respectively). The most related variable with the CYRM-28 was the level of perceived social support: standardized ß = 0.409; t(151) = 5.626; p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: A higher BMI has a negative effect on psychological resilience, and family support tends to be lower in these cases. New studies are needed to clarify whether this result is one of the causes of obesity or one of its consequences.

The effect of hyperandrogenism and obesity on mindfulness and metacognition in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum androgen levels have an effect on mindfulness and metacognition in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Adolescents diagnosed with PCOS were asked to answer a questionnaire that included socio-demographic information and two scales: the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Metacognition Scale Child and Adolescent form (MCQ-C). The patients were divided into two groups, the hyperandrogenism group and the non-hyperandrogenism group, according to serum androgen levels. The scores of MAAS and MCQ-C were compared between the groups. The study sample consisted of 70 adolescents. Of these, 44 had hyperandrogenism according to a blood test. No statistically significant difference was found in MAAS scores between the hyperandrogenism and the non-hyperandrogenism groups (p = 0.79). However, the level of mindfulness was found to be lower in participants with a higher modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (mFGS) (r = 0.26, p = 0.02). Mindfulness levels were also lower for obese patients with PCOS compared to non-obese patients with PCOS (p = 0.02). Cognitive monitoring (MCQ-C-CM), one of the MCQ-C sub-scales, was significantly higher in the non-hyperandrogenism group (p = 0.03), and similarly, a positive correlation was detected between higher androgen levels and the positive meta-worry (MCQ-C-PM) sub-scale of the MCQ-C (for total testosterone; r = 0.348, p = 0.03, and for androstenedione; r = 0.35, p = 0.03). High serum androgen levels in PCOS had no effect on mindfulness, but as the modified Ferriman Gallwey score increased, mindfulness levels decreased. For the sub-scales of MCQ-C,MCQ-C-CM, and MCQ-C-PM, the scores increased as androgen levels increased. In line with the results of the present study, evaluating mindfulness in PCOS patients with increased hair growth and metacognition in PCOS patients with serum hyperandrogenism may contribute well-being in adulthood by reducing the psychological burden caused by the disease.

Investigation of Blood Betatrophin Levels in Obese Children with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of obesity has significantly increased among children and adolescents worldwide and is becoming an important health care problem in parallel with the increased prevalence of obesity pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Betatrophin is a newly define hormone that is commonly secreted by liver and plays role in glucose tolerance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum betatrophin levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children. METHODS: The study included 40 obese children with a body mass index (BMI) above 95th centile, and 35 non-obese subjects with a BMI 3-85th centile, whose age and gender were similar to those of the patient group. For the evaluation of metabolic parameters fasting serum glucose, insulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipid profile and serum betatrophin levels were measured. Total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios were calculated as "atherogenic indices." RESULTS: Serum betatrophin levels of the obese subjects were similar to that of non-obese subjects (p=0.90). Betatrophin levels were not correlated with the metabolic parameters. CONCLUSION: In the present study, levels of betatrophin are not different between obese and insulin resistant children and non-obese subjects, and they are not correlated with atherogenic indices. To elucidate the exact role of betatrophin in obesity, further studies are required to identify the betatrophin receptor and/or other possible cofactors.

Swallowing dysfunction as a factor that should be remembered in recurrent pneumonia: videofluoroscopic swallow study.

BACKGROUND: The swallow function is one of the strong defense mechanism against aspiration. Aspiration and pneumonia are unavoidable in patients with defective mechanism of swallowing. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with recurrent pneumonia in terms of videofluoroscopic examination results. METHODS: The study comprised fifty pediatric cases (22 boys, 28 girls) with an average age of 2.9 years (2 months-7.5 years) who were referred to our clinic due to suffering from recurrent pneumonia. The videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) was performed on all patients. The presence of a correlation with pneumonia was investigated. RESULTS: In 45 of the children, VFSS results were not normal. Of the children, 41 had mental-motor retardation. The results of the videofluoroscopic study show that silent aspiration was the most common pathology in participants with the percentage of 40 (27.5% mild, 17.5% severe). Patients in the study had pneumonia with an incidence of 2.6 illnesses per year. Having one than more results on VFSS was found to be associated with more number of annual pneumonia episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Children with neurological impairments are at risk of recurrent acute pneumonia due to aspiration. Disturbances of swallowing phases should be remembered as a cause of pneumonia in these patients.

Influence of body mass index on mindfulness awareness and coping methods for stress in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological state may affect the body weight through the hypothalamus and vice versa. The goal of this study is to investigate whether body mass index affect mindfulness awareness (MA) levels and type of coping with stress. METHODS: Healthy adolescents were included in the study. The mindfulness attention awareness scale (MAAS), indicating the ways of coping checklist inventory was performed and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) of adolescents were calculated. The influence of BMI on MA and ways of coping with stress was tested. According to BMI percentiles the study population was grouped as obese (including overweight), normal-weighted and underweight. RESULTS: A total of 270 adolescents (mean age: 13.63±2.07 years; 165 female/105 male) participated in the study. No significant correlation was found between BMI and MA scores (r=-0.085; p=0.161) and coping strategies were not different between the groups. When MA scores are compared with stress coping methods, it appeares that participants with high awareness levels chose positive coping styles. CONCLUSION: BMI is not effective on MA levels and choice of stress coping methods. But the higher MA levels are associated with positive coping styles.

Does intrauterine tobacco exposure increase the pain perception of newborns?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess whether there was a difference in the pain-perception levels of newborns born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy and newborns born to mothers who were not exposed to active or passive smoking during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 newborns born by normal spontaneous vaginal birth between June 2013 and June 2014 were included in the study: 30 born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy, and 30 born to mothers not exposed to smoking. Mothers or newborns who had taken analgesics or sedative medications in the previous 24 hours, newborns not born at term, and sick newborns were not included in the study. During the routine hepatitis B-vaccination injection given at postnatal 48 hours, the newborns' behavior was monitored and recorded by video camera. The data obtained from the recordings were evaluated according to the Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale and analyzed with SPSS 20. RESULTS: The median pain score of the group exposed to tobacco smoke in utero was 8.5, while the median pain score of the unexposed group was 6 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero may increase the pain-perception levels of newborns.

Do we really ponder about necessity of intravenous hydration in acute bronchiolitis?

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to establish the role of intravenous hydration therapy on mild bronchiolitis. METHODS: This was a retrospective case control study. Infants between 1 month and 2 years of age admitted to our general pediatrics ward between June 2012 and June 2013 with a diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchiolitis were enrolled to the study. Hospital medical files were reviewed to get information about children personal history, symptoms of the disease, disease severity scores and their management. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the management; nebulized short-acting ß2-agonist (salbutamol) +hydration; nebulized short-acting ß2-agonist (salbutamol); hydration and neither bronchodilator nor hydration. We examined length of stay in the hospital as an outcome measure. RESULTS: A total of 94 infants were studied. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: IV hydration is not effective on length of stay in hospital in mild acute bronchiolitis patients.

OBJETIVO: Establecer la función de la terapia de hidratación intravenosa leve. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. En el estudio fueron reclutados niños entre 1 mes y 2 años de edad atendidos en la sala de pediatría general entre junio 2012 y junio 2013, con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda no complicada. Se revisaron historias médicas de los niños para obtener datos personales, síntomas de la enfermedad, grado de severidad y el manejo instaurado. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en cuatro grupos de cuerdo al manejo: hidratación + nebulización de corta acción con ß2-agonista (salbutamol); nebulización de corta acción con ß2-agonista (salbutamol); hidratación; o sin hidratación y broncodilatador. Se determinó la duración de la estancia hospitalaria como medida resultado. RESULTADOS: Un total de 94 niños fueron estudiados. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos en términos de duración de la estancia en el hospital. CONCLUSIONES: La hidratación IV no es efectiva en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda leve.

Relation between QT Variables and Left Ventricular Geometry in Athletes and Obese Children.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the relation between QT variables and left ventricular geometry in athletes and obese children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 209 children and adolescents. Thirty-eight of them were obese, 140 were athletes and 31 were normal weighted. Children with history of functional and structural cardiovascular diseases (acquired and congenital), chronic systemic diseases, hypertension, sleep apnea, endocrinological disorders were excluded. All subjects underwent detailed electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: QT dispersion was significantly higher in obese children, basketball players, football players and swimmers compared to control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, < 0.001 and < 0.01 respectively). Basketball players had the highest QT dispersion. Left ventricular endsystolic diameter (mm/m2) was higher in footballers, swimmers, wrestlers and tennis players compared to obese subjects. Interventricular septal thickness at diastole was highest in swimmers compared to control group (p < 0.001) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness was significantly higher in footballers and swimmers compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). Left ventricular geometry was normal in 84 patients (47.1%), but 34 patients (19.1%) had concentric remodelling, 20 (22.4%) had concentric hypertrophy and 40 (28.6%) had eccentric hypertrophy. No concentric and eccentric hypertrophy was observed in obese subjects. Left ventricle hypertrophy was prominent in dynamic and combined groups but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.204). QT dispersion was statistically higher in obese, dynamic sports and combined sports compared to control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). DISCUSSION: In this study we determined that QT dispersion is elevated in dynamic and combined sports types and obese children. CONCLUSION: QT dispersion is prolonged in obese and athletes who participate dynamic and combined sports.

Introdução: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre variáveis QT e geometria do ventrículo esquerdo em atletas e crianças obesas. Material e Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 209 crianças e adolescentes. Trinta e oito deles eram obesos, 140 foram atletas e 31 tinham peso normal. Crianças com antecedentes funcionais e estruturais de doenças cardiovasculares (adquiridas e congénitas), doenças sistémicas crónicas, hipertensão arterial, apneia do sono, doenças endocrinológicas foram excluídos. Todos os sujeitos rea-lizaram detalhados exames eletrocardiográficos e ecocardiográficos. Resultados: A dispersão do QT foi significativamente maior em crianças obesas, jogadores de basquete, jogadores de futebol e nadadores, por comparação com o grupo controlo (p < 0,05, p < 0,001, < 0,001 e < 0,01, respetivamente). Os jogadores de basquetebol tiveram a maior dispersão do QT. O di'metro ventricular esquerdo endosistólico (mm/m2) foi maior nos jogadores, nadadores, lutadores e jogadores de ténis por comparação com indivíduos obesos. A espessura do septo interventricular na diástole foi maior em nadadores por comparação com o grupo controlo (p < 0,001) e a espessura da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo foi significativamente maior nos jogadores e nadadores por comparação a indivíduos saudáveis (p < 0,01 e p < 0,001, respetivamente). A geometria do ventrículo esquerdo foi normal em 84 pacientes (47,1%), mas 34 pacientes (19,1%) tinham remodelação concêntrica, 20 (22,4%) apresentaram hipertrofia concêntrica e 40 (28,6%) apresentaram hipertrofia excêntrica. Não foi observada hipertrofia concêntrica e excêntrica em indivíduos obesos. A hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo era proeminente nos grupos din'mico e combinado mas a diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,204). A dispersão do QT foi significativamente maior nos obesos e praticantes de desporto din'mico e combinado em relação ao grupo controlo (p < 0,05, p < 0,001 e p < 0,001, respetivamente). Discussão: Neste estudo determinámos que a dispersão do QT é elevada em tipos de desporto din'mico e combinado, e em crianças obesas. Conclusão: A dispersão do QT é prolongada em pacientes obesos e atletas que participam em desporto din'mico e combinado.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio may be a predictive marker of poor prognosis in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

BACKGROUND: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is the idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in childhood. The pathologic changes seen in the femoral head are likely a result of vascular factors. Blood neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is a simple marker of subclinical inflammation. This study aims to to analyse the predictive ability of N/L ratio for the prognosis in LCPD patients. METHODS: Patients who had been diagnosed as LCPD from 2008 to 2014 were investigated retrospectively and 40 LCPD patients (33 male and 7 female) and 25 healthy age and sex-matched children (controls) were included in the study. LCPD patients were divided into 2 groups according to expected prognosis (good prognosis expected Herring A and B patients as Group I and poor prognosis expected Herring B-C and C patients as Group II) and healthy children (control) were included in Group III. All the patients' hematological markers were analysed. RESULTS: Mean age was 7.1 ± 2.0 years in group I (4.9-12 years), 8.3 ± 2.2 years (4-12.5 years) in group II and 7.8 ± 1.3 years (6-12 years) in group III. Mean values for Groups I, II and III for neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio were 1.13 ± 0.65, 1.75 ± 0.95, 1.08 ± 0.37, respectively. The mean neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio of Group II was higher than the other 2 groups (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: N/L ratio may give us information about the natural course of LCPD and may be used as independent predictor of prognosis in patients with LCPD.

Serum ischemia-modified albumin levels in adolescent smokers.

BACKGROUND: It is known that the biochemical marker linked to tissue ischemia, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), is related to oxidative stress. Cigarette smoking is a situation with increased oxidative stress causing cell damage and it is thought that many of the negative effects linked to smoking may occur after the biological material in the body is exposed to oxidative damage. This study aimed to identify variability in serum IMA levels in adolescents who smoke. METHODS: This case-control study comprised 60 adolescents without any chronic disease. The smoking group was 30 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17 years who smoked, while the control group was 30 healthy adolescents who did not smoke. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and serum IMA levels and serum nicotine metabolites were determined. RESULTS: The serum IMA levels in the adolescents who smoked were 0.452±0.094 absorbance unit (ABSU), while the control group had ASBU levels of 0.427±0.054. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum IMA levels (p=0.210). There was a significant difference between the control and smoking groups in terms of serum nicotine metabolite levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among adolescents who smoke, serum IMA levels may not be a good marker for oxidative stress.

Do we really ponder about necessity of intravenous hydration in acute bronchiolitis? / Debemos reflexionar sobre la necesidad de una hidratación intravenosa en la bronquiolitis aguda?

Objective: The goal was to establish the role of intravenous hydration therapy on mild bronchiolitis. Methods: This was a retrospective case control study. Infants between 1 month and 2 years of age admitted to our general pediatrics ward between June 2012 and June 2013 with a diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchiolitis were enrolled to the study. Hospital medical files were reviewed to get information about children personal history, symptoms of the disease, disease severity scores and their management. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the management; nebulized short-acting β2-agonist (salbutamol) +hydration; nebulized short-acting β2-agonist (salbutamol); hydration and neither bronchodilator nor hydration. We examined length of stay in the hospital as an outcome measure. Results: A total of 94 infants were studied. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of length of stay in hospital. Conclusions:IV hydration is not effective on length of stay in hospital in mild acute bronchiolitis patients.

Objetivo: Establecer la función de la terapia de hidratación intravenosa leve. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. En el estudio fueron reclutados niños entre 1 mes y 2 años de edad atendidos en la sala de pediatría general entre junio 2012 y junio 2013, con diagnóstico de bronquiolitis aguda no complicada. Se revisaron historias médicas de los niños para obtener datos personales, síntomas de la enfermedad, grado de severidad y el manejo instaurado. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en cuatro grupos de cuerdo al manejo: hidratación + nebulización de corta acción con β2-agonista (salbutamol); nebulización de corta acción con β2agonista (salbutamol); hidratación; o sin hidratación y broncodilatador. Se determinó la duración de la estancia hospitalaria como medida resultado. Resultados: Un total de 94 niños fueron estudiados. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los grupos en términos de duración de la estancia en el hospital. Conclusiones: La hidratación IV no es efectiva en la duración de la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes con bronquiolitis aguda leve.

Relationship between Abdominal Aortic Intima Media Thickness and Central Obesity in Children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is one of the important risk factors for early atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on abdominal aortic intima media thickness (aaIMT) in children. METHODS: We consecutively recruited 60 obese and 28 healthy children from the outpatient clinic of pediatrics. In all patients, BMI, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were measured, and fasting serum lipid profile, plasma glucose and plasma insulin were studied. Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated for the obese group. All children underwent ultrasonography to evaluate hepatosteatosis and to measure aaIMT. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of aaIMT, insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride and hepatosteatosis. aaIMT was 1.12 ± 0.25 and 0.61 ± 0.18 mm in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively (p < 0.001). In the obese group, there was a positive correlation between aaIMT and WC, WC/height ratio, BMI, HC and hepatosteatosis (p < 0.05 for all), with the highest significance for WC. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that aaIMT was significantly higher in obese children than in nonobese children, and that WC was a strong predictor for aaIMT. Early detection of an increased aaIMT in obese children may guide the follow-up of these patients in terms of developing atherosclerosis and its complications.

Effect of delivery mode on postpartum neonatal body temperatures.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that general and local anesthesia practices disrupt the delicate balance of thermoregulation center which is already sensitive to very tiny differences of temperatures in a normal subject. We aimed to evaluate and compare the rectal temperatures of newborns born with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 106 term newborn - 40 born with normal vaginal delivery (group 1) and 66 born with cesarean section [51 spinal anesthesia (group 2), 15 general anesthesia (group 3)]. Only term babies were included in the study. Babies of eclamptic, pre-eclamptic and diabetic mothers and babies with chronic systemic diseases were excluded. Pregnants who underwent elective cesarean section were included in the study. Adolescent pregnants, pregnants with increased risks and pregnants with complicated operations were excluded. Mothers' temperatures were measured before and after the interventions. Rectal temperatures of the babies were measured immediately after birth. RESULTS: Environmental temperature was maintained at 22-24 °C. Pre-operative mother temperatures were 36.31 ± 0.30 °C in group 1, 36.36 ± 0.26 °C in group 2 and 36.39 ± 0.19 °C in group 3 (p = 0.414). Post-operative mother temperatures were 36.39 ± 0.27 °C in group 1, 36.29 ± 0.31 °C in group 2 and 36.25 ± 0.28 °C in group 3 (p = 0.215). Rectal temperatures of the babies born with normal vaginal delivery were significantly higher than the others. It was lowest in the general anesthesia group (37.5 ± 0.6 °C, 37.2 ± 0.2 °C and 36.8 ± 0.4 °C in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively). The temperature differences between groups were statistically significant p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is worthy to note that temperatures of the newborns can differ according to the delivery mode. Physicians and health professionals that take care of the newborns should be aware of this difference.

Prenatal maternal risk factors for infantile colic.

AIM: To examine maternal prenatal risk factors for infantile colic (IC). METHODS: Mothers were asked to complete a standard pre-coded questionnaire form. Inclusion in the study consisted of four criteria. The case group comprised healthy children with infantile colic according to Wessel's definition. The control group comprised healthy children with no history of IC. Prenatal period characteristics of mothers were examined to determine associations with IC. RESULTS: Children with mothers who had prophylactic iron supplementation therapy during pregnancy suffered more from IC. Postpartum depression was found to be more frequent in the case group than in the control group. Gynaecological history, including suffering from migraine, presence of any premenstrual symptoms, dysmenorrhea and high pre-pregnancy body mass index, was associated with development of IC. CONCLUSION: Pre-gestational gynaecological complaints and pregnancy characteristics may point to IC. These characteristics should be investigated and families should be informed.